Report finds 'innovative and robust' global drug pipeline

By Alaric DeArment

WASHINGTON — More than 5,000 medicines are under development, of which 70% are potentially the first of their class, according to a new report.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America announced Thursday the release of a report developed by the Analysis Group that called the drug pipeline "innovative and robust." The pipeline includes 158 drugs under development for ovarian cancer, 19 for sickle cell disease and 41 for small-cell numb cancer.

"Biopharmaceutical companies, working with other partners in the American research ecosystem, have made incredible progress in helping confront some of the most challenging and costly diseases facing patients around the world," PhRMA president and CEO John Castellani said. "With more than 5,000 medicines in development for patients suffering from a wide range of diseases, there is a palpable excitement around the biopharmaceutical pipeline and the future opportunities for new, cutting-edge medicines to improve patient care and bring value to the entire U.S. healthcare system."

The report also noted that personalized medicines accounted for an increasing proportion of the pipeline, with the number of potential new medicines for rare diseases averaging 140 per year in the last 10 years, compared with 64 per year in the previous decade.